Splint-stretcher frame



March 11, 1947 w w. ROBINSON SPLINT-STRETGHER FRAME Filed Dec. 28. 19432 sheets sheet l March 11 1947. w, w ROBINSON 2,417,378

' SPLINT-STRETCHER FRAME Filed Dec. 28, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WaZZaceWflofziwlsom Patented Mar. 11, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICESPLINT-STRETCHER FRAME Application December 28, 1943, Serial No. 516,289

16 Claims. 1

This invention relates to splint-stretcher frames for use intransporting an injured, collapsed or invalided person, and the presentapplication is a continuation in part of my copending application SerialNo. 398,905, filed June 20, 1941, and abandoned in favor of thisapplication.

The principal purpose of the invention is to provide a compact, handyand easily portable litter frame which simultaneously-splints,stretcherizes and immobilizes th body by affording effective support forthe muscle-padded regions at both sides of the shoulder and pelvicgirdles and by bracing the head and the weight line of the lower limbs,while providing a relatively wide pressure-free zone along the spinalcolumn, a1- lowing access to the supported body for treatment ofinjuries and dressing of wounds, and assuring that the victim or patientmay be transported with a minimum of discomfort.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a bodysupporting frame having a pair of rigid, elongate side members pivotallyconnected at one end and separably connected at the opposite endthereof, so that the frame may be applied beneath a body by spreading orobliquely diverging its hinged sides, then closing or converging thembeneath the torso along the lines of cleavage between the body and theground or bed on which it lies, and finally locking the sides inparallel relation, without lifting, turn ing or rolling the body. Thisfeature is particularly valuable in the external skeletal fixation offracture cases, and more especially in spinal fractures, for it is wellunderstood that any unnecessary movement or improper handling of thevictim's body often aggravates the injury, frequently causes shock andsometimes results in a fatality which could have been avoided byimmediate immobilization.

It will be apparent that such a frame may easily be displaced from theimmobilized body after it has been placed on an X-ray or operating tableor in bed, by separating one end and spreading the hinged sides topermit complete or partial withdrawal of the frame, thereby affording anopportunity for adequate diagnosis of the injuries before the positionof the body is disturbed.

Another object of the invention'is to equip the litter sides withframe-like braces or auxiliary splints, particularly pelvic and legbraces, the latter being rotatably mounted on the frame sides in thepreferred arrangements, so that they may be positioned inwardly oroutwardly there .lin with the axis of th spine, while the body iscarried either in supine or prone position; and, in an optionalembodiment of the invention, a roller mounted on a removable extensionat the foot or lower end of the frame, so that the frame and its burdenmay be readily wheeled while the head portion is elevated.

These and other advantages of the invent-ion will be described inconnection with the recommended embodiments of the invention illustratedin the accompanying drawings, and will be pointed out in the appendedclaims. It will be understood, however, that the structural details ofthe splint-stretcher frame herein disclosed may be varied to suitparticular conditions, without departing from the essence of thisinvention as set forth in said claims. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of the improved frame;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation looking to th left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the frame with the sides partially spread andpartially extended in length, and the flexible head rest pushedupwardly;

Figs. 4 and -5 are enlarged sections on line 4-4 and 5-5 respectively ofFig. 1, Fig. 4 also illustrating an optional form of head rest;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the frame as shown in Fig. 1, showing thenormal position of a supine Fig. '7.

In the preferred embodiment chosen ,for the purpose of illustration inFigs. 1 to 6, the improved frame comprises a pair of rigid, elongated,parallel side members ll having inwardly directed upper ends i2 andlower ends 13 whichare respectively connected in themannerhere inafterdescribed. Th relatively narrow sides II are preferably made of metalpipe or tubing and hav extensible lower portions I4 also made of tubingenclosing metal rods I (Fig. 3) which telescope within the pipes of thesides proper H.

The extensions I4 are secured in longitudinally necessary to tighten theset screws when a body is on the-frame,,for the weight of the body willhold the telescoped sides in adjusted position.- The rods [5 serve tostrengthen the tubes I4 and f are welded or otherwise fixed therein atthe flattened ends of said tubes; and the tubes II are preferablyreinforced by rods 17, similarly secured therein.

At one end of the frame, preferably the head or upper end, the sides arepivotally connected by a bolt I8 which passes through complemental holesin the flattened tips of the end portions I2 and is secured by a nut I9.The nut 59 may obviously be removed whenever occasion requiresseparation of the frame sides at the hinged upper joint; and a wing nutmay be employed in place of the plain nut I9, to permit ease ofdetachment.

The opposite end of the frame is separably con- I nected by a bolt 20and removable wing nut 2!; the bolt being attached to the flattened tipof one lower end portion l3 and passing through a hole 22 in theflattened extremity of the complemental end portion. Other suitablemeans may obviously be employed for pivotally connecting the sidemembers at one end of the frame, and separably or detachably connectingthem at the opposite end; and it will be evident that the separablelower joint may be used as a pivot when conditions require separation ofthe upper joint.

The sides I I are preferably formed with upwardly curved portions 23which elevate the head or upper portion of the frame and which areadapted to support the shoulders of a person carried on the frame. Thesebends are'herein termed shoulder curves, and serve to brace the latterpurpose, the end portion I 3 at the foot of the frame may also beelevated by bending the extension members It, as indicated a1; 25.

Asherein shown, the head rest 24 is made of canvas or other flexiblematerial and is suspended by loops or hems 26 from the elevated portionsof the side members I I. nasal opening 21 for use when the victim iscarried in prone position. In the optional form of head rest shown inFig. 4, the central portion 28 thereof is removably attached to thelooped side portions 29by snap fasteners 3t, so that the relative smallpiece 28 may easily be slipped under the head (either in prone or supineposition) and subsequently attached to the looped side portions braces,formed'of wire loops or other frame-like members, are preferablyattached to the frame' sides to support the torso and lower limbs morecomfortably and prevent lateral displacement of the supported body. .Theinwardly directed rib braces 31 and hip and thigh braces 32, and the Thehead support has a upwardly with respect to the plane of the sides I I,and the use of such braces is highly desirable.

The leg braces 34 are preferably carried by sleeves,

35 rotatable on the rods l5 and adjustable in position by set screws 35or. other fastenings, so that either of these braces may be swunginwardly or outwardly of the frame (Figs. 3 and 6) to permit either orboth of the lower extremities to be abducted and internally rotatedunder traction,

as in the case of a fractured hip, and to support Y the legs in the mostcomfortable and advantageous position. It will be apparent,v however,that the leg braces may be suitably fixed in position, and that one setmay project inwardly and another set outwardly relative to therespective side members. It will also be apparent that the braces 33 and34 may be used as handles for carrying the stretcher frame, if desired.

It will be observed that the frame sides are relatively narrow and thatthe space between them is substantially wider than the width of eitherside member. That space ensures a pressure free zone for the spinalcolumn, and should be of such width that the torso of a person in supineposition is supported primarily at four critical areas: the right andleft scapula bone areas of the shoulder girdle, and the right and leftinnominate bone areas of the pelvic girdle, as indicated in Fig. 6.These regions of the body are well padded with muscle tissue, and theskeleton of the torso is properly immobilized when supported in thisposition, With the torso thus supported by the frame, the weight linesof the respective legs, extending from the anteriorsuperior spinousprocess of the ilium to the second toe, diagonally cross the axis of therespective side members (in the full line position of .Fig. 6),

7 thus immobilizing the entire limb.

The use of narrow side members, widely spaced as aforesaid, and openloops for the auxiliary splints not OIllYaQffOl'dS correct torsa-lsupport for immobilization by external skeletal fixation, but alsoaffords access to the body for the treatment of wounds, application'oftourniquets and aflixation of compression dressings, when indicated. Theframe as a whole is also relatively light in weight, and easy tomaneuver because its total width is less than that of the torso.

This form of the novel splintstretcher frame is quickly'and easilyapplied to a collapsed or injured person without the necessity of movingthe body except to straighten the neck and converged. The flexiblehead'rest '24 may bepushed upwardly to the head end of the frame.

(Fig. 3) and then carefully slipped under the head, and each side memberis slid under ..the shoulders and hips along the line of cleavagebetween the' body and the ground; floor or bed on which the victim orpatient is lying. The length of the frame may be adjusted by sliding theextensions I4 to the desired position, before the sides are closed, sothat the shoulders ofthe torso fit against the shoulder curves 23 andthe gamers feet rest inside the lower end portions frame (Fig. 6

The torso is centered laterally on the frame and is thus supported atthe four contact areas above mentioned, with the pelvic region braced bythe inclined auxiliary splints 33 and the lower limbs resting on theframe sides and the adjustable braces 34. The frame may be convenientlygrasped at the elevated end portions, and easily lifted and transportedby two litter bearers; or it may be slid or skidded across the ground orfloor by a single bearer, by lifting the head end and pushing ordragging the lower end. If the frame may be carried in a substantiallyhorizontal position, no straps or binders are required to hold thestretcherized body on the frame; es pecially as the frame-like bracesact as friction brakes to prevent the body from sliding longitudinallyof the frame; but if it will be necessary to tilt the frame appreciablywhile the victim is being transported, suitable straps or ties may beeasily attached to the frame sides, to hold the body securely in place.Leg traction may be utilized when necessary, with .or without bindingthe body, for the braces will hold the torso against traction, asaforesaid. The splint-stretcher may be applied and used in this mannerby inexperienced persons, for the manipulation of the frame is verysimple and a knowledge of anatomy is not l3 of the required in properlyassembling th frame under the body,

In the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. '7 and 8, themeans for separably connecting the side members H at the lower end ofthe frame, comprises a U-shaped extension 9 member 4! having an endportion 42 formed of tubular metal and an elongate rod 43 extendingthrough pipe 42 and providing parallel bars it which slide within thehollow sides H and are secured in adjusted position by the set screws16. In applying this type of frame, the lower extension M is completelywithdrawn from the frame sides, the latter are spread apart and movedunder the body, and the extension is then replaced to close and lock theframe. The extension rods 44 may carry the rotatable leg braces 45 inthe same manner as the braces 34 are mounted on the bars l5 of Figs. 1to 6.

The transverse foot end of the extension 6! preferably has a roller 45equipped with a ring 41 of rubber or the like at its center, to permitthe frame to be wheeled more easily when the upper end is pushed orpulled as aforesaid. The roller 43 may revolve on the tube 42, or thewheel ring 41 may rotate on the roller 45, as desired.

A splint-stretcher frame constructed as herein disclosed is relativelysimple and economical to manufacture and affords a compact, handy andeasily portable litter frame admirably satisfying all the purposes andadvantages ascribed to this invention. The frame may be safely andsatisfactorily used in hospitals, convalescent homes, industrial plantsand mortuary establishments, as well as in the fieldby civilian defenseunits and the armed forces. When employed by morticians, it isfrequently desirable that the side members of the frame be completelydetached from each other, as when the body occupies a narrow space. Suchseparation is conveniently accomplished, for the pivotal connection atthe head end of the frame is also separable as aforesaid, and thecareful and precise application which is characteristic of a framehinged at one end is not essential when a lifeless body is to betransported.

For morticians use particularly, but also for 6 general use inlifting-and'transporting a prostrate body, the connecting bolt and nutat the foot end of the frame may be omitted, andthe litter bearer atthat end of the frame may serve as the means for separably connectingthe lowerends of the side members. In such case, as will be obviouswithout specific illustration herein, the inturned ends [3 of Figs. 1 to3 may be straight or of any I the opposite ends thereof, and meanspivotally connecting end portions directly to each other at one end ofthe frame, whereby the side members may be obliquely diverged and thenconverged to spaced relation beneath a prostrate body and whereby theframe and supported body may be lifted and transported by twobearers,one grasping the pivotally connected end of the frame and the othergrasping the opposite ends of the respective side members.

2. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-supporting frame having a pairof elongated, rigid side members, said members being adapted directly toengage'the sides of the body and to support by themselves both sides ofthe shoulder and pelvic girdles, and said members having integral,inwardly directed rigid end portions meeting at the longitudinal axis ofthe frame at the opposite ends thereof, a head rest disposed between theside members at the upper end of the frame, braces projecting from therespective side members at the lower portion of the frame for supportingthe legs of a body carried thereon, and means pivotally connecting onepair of said end portions directly to each other at the upper end of theframe, whereby the side members may be obliquely diverged and thenconverged to spaced relation beneath a prostrate body and whereby theframe and supported body may be lifted and transported by two bearers,one grasp-- ing the pivotally connected end of the frame and the othergrasping the opposite ends of the respective side members.

3. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-supporting frame having a pairof elongated, rigid side members, said members being adapted directly toengage the sides of the body and to support by themselves both sides ofthe shoulder and pelvic girdles, and said members having integral,inwardly directed rigid end portions meeting at the longitudinal axis ofthe frame at the opposite ends thereof, means pivotally conneot ing onepair of said end portions directly to each'other at one end of theframe, and means separably connecting the other pair of end portionsdirectly to each other at the opposite end of the frame, whereby afterdisconnecting said last named means the side members may be obliquelydiverged and then converged to spaced relation beneath the body.

4. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-supporting frame having a pairof separable, elongated, rigid side members, said membersbeing adapteddirectly to engage the sides of the body and to support by themselvesboth sides of the tions meeting at the longitudinal. axis of the frameat the opposite endsthereof, means pivotally connecting one pair of saidend portions directly to each other at one end of the frame,

and means separably, connecting the other pair of end portions directlyto each other at the opposite end of the frame, whereby afterdisconnecting said last named means the side members may be swungobliquely diverged and then converged to spaced relation beneath thebody, said side members being widely spaced when the frame is closed'and the space between the sides being substantially greater than thewidth of either of said members to afford a pressure free zone in theregion of the spinal column of the supported body.

5. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-supporting-frame having a pairof separable, elongated, rigid side members, said members being adapteddirectly to engage the sides of the body and to support by themselvesboth sides of the shoulder and pelvic girdles, and said members havingintegral, inwardly directed rigid end portions meeting at thelongitudinal axis of the frame atthe opposite ends thereof, meanspivotally connecting one pair of said end portions directly to eachother at one end of the frame,

and means separably connecting the other pair of end portions directlyto each other at the opposite end of the frame, whereby afterdisconnecting said last named means the side members may be swungoutwardly at said pivot and then inwardly to spaced parallel relationbeneath the body, said sides having framelike braces connected theretoand arranged in complemental pairs, and one pair of such bracesextending outwardly of the frame sides and being inclined upwardlyrelative to the plane of said sides for supporting the pelvic areas atthe sides of the supported body.

6. A splint-stretcher comp-rising a body-supporting frame having a pairof elongated, rigid side members, said members being adapted directly toengage the sides of the body and to support by themselves both sides ofthe shoulder and pelvic girdles, and said members having integral,inwardly directed rigid end portions meeting at the longitudinal axis ofthe frame at the opposite ends thereof, means pivotally connecting onepair of said end portions directly to each other at one end of theframe, and means separably connecting the other pair of end portionsdirectly to each other at the opposite end of the frame, whereby afterdisconnecting said last named means the side members may be swungoutwardly at said pivot and then inwardly to spaced parallel relationbeneath the body, said sides having framelike braces connected theretoand arranged in complemental pairs, and one pair of such bracesextending outwardly of the frame sides and being inclined upwardlyrelative to the plane of said sides for supporting the pelvic areas atthe sides of the supported body, and another pair of such braces beingdisposed in position to support the legs of said body.

7. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-supporting frame having a pairof elongated, rigid side members, said members being adapted directly toengage the sides of the body and to support. by themselves both sides ofthe shoulder and pelvic girdles, and said members having integral,inwardly directed rigid end portions meeting at the longitudinal axis ofthe frame at the opposite ends thereof, means pivotally connectingone-pair of said end portions directly to each other at one end of theframe, and means 'separably connecting the'other pair ofend portionsdirectly to each other'at the opposite end of the frame whereby, afterdisconnecting said last named means, the side members may be swungoutwardly at said pivot and then inwardly to spaced parallel relationbeneath the body, said sides having framelike braces connected theretoand arranged in complemental pairs, and one pair ofsuch braces extendingoutwardly of the frame sides and being inclined upwardly relative to theplane of said sides for supporting the pelvic areas at the sides of thesupported body, and another pair of said braces being rotatably mountedon said side members so that each of them may be located to extendinwardly or outwardly of the respective sides for supporting the legs ofsaid'bodyn 8. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-supporting framehaving a pair of elongated, rigid side members, said members beingadapted directly to engage the sides of the body and to support bythemselves both sides of the shoulder and pelvic girdles, and saidmembers having integral, inwardly directed rigid end portions meeting atthe longitudinal axis of the frame at the opposite ends thereof, meanspivotally connecting one pair of said end portions directly-to eachother at one end of the frame, and means separably connecting the otherpair of end portions directly to each other at the opposite end oftheframe, whereby after disconnecting said last named means the sidemembers may be obliquely diverged and then converged to spaced relationbeneath the body, said side members having comp-lemental shoulder curvesinclining upwardly from the central portion of the frame and whereby thehead portion of the frame is elevated with respect to said centralportion, and a head rest suspended from the sides of said elevatedportion and adapted to support the head in line with the axis of theneck and spine.

9. A splint-stretcher comp-rising a body-sup porting frame having a pairof separable, elonadapted directly to engage the sides of the body andto support by themselves both sides of the shoulder and pelvic girdles,and said members having integral, inwardly directed rigid end portionsmeeting at the longitudinal axis of the frame at the opposite endsthereof, means pivotally connecting one pair of said end portionsdirectly to each other at one end of the frame, and means separablyconnecting the other'pair of end portions directly to each other at theopposite end of the frame, whereby after disconnectingsaid last namedmeans the side members may be obliquely diverged and then converged tospaced relation beneath the body, said side members having complementalshoulder curves support the head-in line with the axis of the neck andspine, said head rest having a central opening for receiving the nose ofa person carried in prone position. V

10. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-supporting frame having a pairof separable, elongated, rigid side members, said members being adapteddirectly toengage the sides of the body and to support by themselvesboth sides of the shoulder and pelvic girdles, and said members havingintegral, inwardly directed rigid end portions meeting at thelongitudinal axis of the frame at the opposite ends thereof, meanspivotally connecting one pair of said end portions directly to eachother at one end of the frame, and means separably connecting the otherpair of end portions directly to each other at the op posite end of theframe, whereby after disconnecting said last named means the sidemembers may be obliquely diverged and then converged to spaced relationbeneath the body, said side members having, complemental shoulder curvesinclining upwardly from the central portion of the frame and whereby thehead portion of the frame is elevated with respect to said cen-- tralportion, and a head rest suspended from the sides of said elevatedportion and adapted to support the head in line with the axis of theneck and spine, said head rest having a detachable insert at its centerso that the insert may be removed and replaced, and means separablyconnecting the insert to the sides of the head rest.

11. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-supporting frame having a pairof elongated, rigid side members, said members being adapted directly toengage the sides of the body and to support by themselves both sides ofthe shoulder and pelvic girdles, and said members having integral,inwardly directed rigid end portions meeting at the longitudinal axis ofthe frame at the opposite ends thereof, means pivotally connecting onepair of said end portions directly to each other at one end of theframe, and means separably connecting the other pair of end portionsdirectly to each other at the opposite end of the frame, whereby afterdisconnecting said last named means the side members may be obliquelydiverged and then converged to spaced relation beneath the body, thesides being separable from each other at the point of pivoted connectionas well as at the point of separable connection, and the separableconnecting means at the opposite end of the frame also constituting ahinge connection so that the frame sides may be totally detached fromeach other and so that either end thereof may serve as a hinge.

12. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-carrying frame including a pairof elongated, rigid side members, each having inwardly turned portionsmeeting at the longitudinal axis of the frame at each end thereof, meanspivotally connecting the portions at the upper end of said side members,detachable means locking together the portions at the lower end of saidside members, whereby when said side members are unlocked at the lowerend of said frame, each side member may be obliquely diverged andobliquely converged by hinge action at said pivotal connection, andintermediate portions of said side members obliquely passed beneath theopposite sides of the torso of a body at the line of cleavage betweensaid torso and the ground upon which it lies, and the lower end of theside members locked together to form a rigid body carrying frame, saidintermediate portions of said converged side members being arrangedsubstantially parallel with each other and spaced apart and adapted tocontact and sup-port four specific areas of the torso of said body whensupine, namely, the right and left scapular bone area of the shouldergirdle and the right and left innominate bone area of the pelvic girdle.

13. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-carrying frame including a pairof elongated, rigid side members, each having inwardly turned portionsmeeting at the longitudinal axis of the frame at each end thereof,hinge-like means connecting the portions at the upper end of said sidemembers, means locking together and unlocking the portions at the lowerend of said side members, a head support securedto each side member nearthe inwardly turned portions at the upperend of said side members, a legsupport secured to each side member near the inwardly turned portions atthe lower end of said side members whereby, when said side members areunlocked at the lower end of said members, both sides may be obliquelydiverged over a supine patient by the pivotal action of the hinge-likeconnection at the upper end of said side members and said side membersrespectively converged beneath each side of said patient untilintermediate portions of said side members are arranged in asubstantially parallel position and spaced apart to contact and supportspecific torso areas, namely, the right and left scapular bone areas andthe right and left innominate bone areas, and said side members'lockedtogether to form a body-carrying frame, with the head of the patientsupported by the head support and the legs and feet of the patientsupported by the leg supports.

14. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-carrying frame including a pairof elongated, rigid side members, each having inwardly turned portionsmeeting at the longitudinal axis of the frame at each end thereof,hingelike means pivotally connecting the portions at the upper end ofsaid side members, detachable means looking together the portions at thelower end of said side members, said side members each having anelevated upper end portion, a headrest attached to said elevated upperend portion, said elevated upper end portion inclining downward fromsaid headrest attachment a distance substantially equal to thedepth ofthe shoulder of a patient and curving forward to pass under saidshoulder to form intermediate portions of said side members on a lowerplane than said elevated upper end portion, said intermediate portionsarranged substantially parallel with each other and spaced apart andextended in length sufficiently to contact, support and immobilize thetorso of a patient and to contact, support and immobilize the lowerlimbs of a patient, when said inwardly turned portions of the lower endof said side members are locked together, whereby a rigid body carryingframe is assembled and when said inwardly turned portions of the lowerend of said side members are unlocked each side member may be obliquelydiverged and obliquely converged by the hingelike action at the upperend of said side members and said side members respectively passedbeneath opposite sides of the torso of said patient and the lower end ofsaid side members brought together and locked to completestretcherization of the patient.

15. A splint-stretcher comprising a body-carrying frame including a pairof separable, elongated, rigid side members, each having inwardly turnedportions meeting at the longitudinal axis of the. frame at each endthereof, and intermediate portions telescopically extensible, meanspivotally connecting the portions at the upper end of said side members,detachable means looking together the portions at the lower end of saidside members whereby, when said side members are unlocked at the lowerend of said side members, each side member may be obliquely diverged andobliquely converged by hinge action at said pivotal connection at theupper end of said side members and said telescopically extensibleintermediate portions of said side members adjusted to fit the length ofa body, and each side member obliquely passed beneath opposite sides ofsaid body and the lower ends of said side members locked together toform a rigid body-carrying frame, with intermediate portions of each ofsaid side members arranged substantially parallel with each other'andspaced-apart and adapted to contact and support four specific areas ofthe torso of a supine body, namely, the right and left" scapular bonearea and the right and left innomina'te bone area.

16. A splint-stretcher comprising a frame having 'a pair" of separable,elongated, rigid side members, said members being adapted directly toengage the sides of the body and to support by themselves both sides ofthe shoulder and pelvic girdles, and said members having integral,inwardly directed rigid end portions meeting at the longitudinal axis ofthe frame at the opposite ends thereof, means pivotally connecting onepair ofxsaid end portions directly to each other at the upper end of theframe, and means separably connecting the other pair 'of end portionsdirectly to each other at the lower end of the frame, so that the sidesare in parallel relation when connected at both ends, the separablyconnecting means comprising a lower frame extension having side barstelescopically received in the side members of the upper portion of theframe, and fastening means for locking the extension in adjustedposition.

' WALLACE W. ROBINSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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